Pre-moistened wipe for treating a surface

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a pre-moistened wipe for treating a surface, said pre-moistened wipe comprising: (a) a substrate; wherein said substrate is substantially free of a binder or latex and said substrate is made of at least about 20% synthetic material; and (b) an aqueous composition applied to said substrate, said composition comprising a low-residue surfactant.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provision Application No. 60/328,007, filed on Oct. 9, 2001

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pre-moistened wipe for treating a surface, in particular to a pre-moistened wipe for treating a hard surface. The pre-moistened wipe incorporates a substrate and a composition comprising a low-residue surfactant. A pre-moistened wipe according to the present invention was found to exhibit a superior filming/streaking profile whilst providing excellent cleaning benefits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wipes for treating surfaces are typically pre-moistened, disposable towelettes which may be utilised in a variety of applications both domestic and industrial and perform a variety of functions. Pre-moistened wipes are typically used to wipe surfaces both animate and inanimate, and may provide numerous benefits such as cleaning, cleansing, and disinfecting. Pre-moistened wipes incorporating a cleaning composition are already known in the art. For example, WO 89/05114 discloses disposable, pre-moistened wipes for hard surface cleaning, which are impregnated with a liquid composition. Pre-moistened wipes can also be found in the form of laminates. In one such embodiment, the laminates include a floor sheet attached to a reservoir, as described in WO 2000-2000US26401, incorporated herein by reference.

One particular application for pre-moistened wipes is treating hard surfaces, such as, kitchen and bathroom surfaces, eyeglasses, and surfaces that require cleaning in industry for example surfaces of machinery or automobiles.

A commonly known problem with pre-moistened wipes for treating hard surfaces is the formation of films and/or streaks on surfaces treated therewith. Indeed, after the treatment of a hard surface with a pre-moistened wipe, the formation of visible residues (streaks) and/or shine reducing films after drying can often be observed.

Therefore, amongst the compositions available to be applied to a pre-moistened wipe, those relying on low-residue surfactants, are often preferred, mainly due to the reduction or even prevention of streak- and/or film-formation after use on a hard surface (“beneficial filming/streaking profile”) provided by such pre-moistened wipes. In particular when said pre-moistened wipes are used on glossy surfaces, such as porcelain, chrome and other shiny metallic surfaces, tiles (in particular black glossy tiles) etc. For example, WO 01/38480 discloses cleaning wipes comprising the following components: a wipe comprising at least one layer of absorbent/absorbent material; and a liquid cleaner comprising a low-residue surfactant, a hydrophilic polymer and water.

However, a drawback associated with the use of pre-moistened wipes incorporating a low-residue surfactant is that the cleaning performance of such pre-moistened wipes is not yet satisfactory. Furthermore, even though the filming/streaking performance of such pre-moistened wipes is on an acceptable level, the filming/streaking performance may still be further improved.

Thus, the objective of the present invention is to provide a pre-moistened wipe comprising a substrate and a composition applied thereon showing a cleaning performance benefit and a filming/streaking performance benefit (low or substantially no streak- and/or film-formation) on a wide range of stains and surfaces.

It has now been found that the above objectives can be met by a pre-moistened wipe for treating a surface, said pre-moistened wipe comprising: (a) a substrate; wherein said substrate is substantially free of a binder or latex and said substrate is made of at least about 20% synthetic material; and (b) an aqueous composition applied to said substrate, said composition comprising a low-residue surfactant.

Advantageously, the pre-moistened wipe herein may be used to clean shiny and matt hard-surfaces made of a variety of materials like glazed and non-glazed ceramic tiles, vinyl, no-wax vinyl, linoleum, melamine, glass, plastics, plastified wood.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the excellent cleaning performance is obtained on different types of stains and soils, including greasy stains, as well as particulate stains, especially particulate greasy stains, greasy soap scum and enzymatic stains.

It is yet another advantage of the compositions of this invention that the pre-moistened wipes can optionally be attached to a cleaning implement such as a unit comprising a pole and a mop head.

BACKGROUND ART

WO 89/05114 discloses disposable, impregnated wipes for cleaning hard surfaces impregnated with an aqueous composition comprising at least one water-miscible solvent.

(WO 01/38480 discloses cleaning wipes comprising the following components: a wipe comprising at least one layer of absorbent/absorbent material; and a liquid cleaner comprising a low-residue surfactant, a hydrophilic polymer and water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pre-moistened wipe for treating a surface, said pre-moistened wipe comprising: (a) a substrate; wherein said substrate is substantially free of a binder or latex and said substrate is made of at least about 20% synthetic material; and (b) an aqueous composition applied to said substrate, said composition comprising a low residue surfactant.

The pre-moistened wipe herein simultaneously deliver excellent filming/streaking properties on a variety of hard surfaces and excellent cleaning performance properties.

Accordingly, the pre-moistened wipe compositions of the present invention are preferably used for wiping and cleaning various surfaces, preferably hard surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

By ‘substrate’ or ‘wipe’ it is meant any woven or non-woven material formed as a single structure during the manufacturing, or present in the form of two or more material laminates.

By ‘pre-moistened wipe’ it is meant herein a substrate and an aqueous composition as described herein applied to said substrate.

By ‘synthetic material’ or ‘synthetic fibers’, it is meant herein a hydrophobic material based on synthetic organic polymers.

By ‘binder’ or ‘latex’, it is meant any additive or treatment intended to provide strength, integrity, cohesion, or adhesion of fibers in a web and processing aid. The term includes fiber finishes that can be removed by soaking the web in an aqueous composition comprising either glycol ether solvents and/or C2-C4 alcohols.

By ‘substantially free of a binder or latex material’ it is meant herein that the substrate comprises less than about 10%, preferably less than about 5%, more preferably less than about 1%, still more preferably less than about 0.5%, and most preferably, no binder or latex material.

Substrate

The substrate herein is made of a mixture of synthetic and non-synthetic materials. Synthetic materials, as used herein, include all polymers derived from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester polymers and mixtures thereof.

The substrate herein is made of at least about 20% by weight synthetic material (“at least partially synthetic”).

In a preferred embodiment, the substrate herein is made of from at least about 25%, preferably at least about 30%, even more preferably at least about 35%, still more preferably at least about 40%, yet still more preferably at least about 50% and most preferably at least about 60% synthetic material.

In another preferred embodiment, the substrate herein is made of up to about 95%, preferably up to about 90%, even more preferably up to about 85%, still more preferably up to about 80%, yet still more preferably up to about 75% and most preferably up to about 70% synthetic material.

Preferably, the synthetic material herein is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyester and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the synthetic material herein is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the synthetic material herein is polypropylene or polyester.

Furthermore, the substrate herein may comprise any amount of non-synthetic material. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate herein is made of from 0% to about 80%, more preferably about 5% to about 75%, even more preferably about 10% to about 70% still more preferably about 10% to about 65% and most preferably about 20% to about 60% non-synthetic material.

The distribution of synthetic and non-synthetic fibers within the substrate web can be homogeneous or non-homogeneous. When the distribution of fibers is non-homogeneous, it is preferred that the exposed (top and bottom) surface areas of the wipes comprise a higher amount of synthetic fiber than is present in the overall substrate composition. Such a structure keeps a reservoir of fluid within the more absorbent non-synthetic structure, and sandwiched between the two areas of the wipe that are more hydrophobic; this results in more controlled release of the aqueous composition and better overall mileage for the wipe. Alternatively, the distribution of fibers can advantageously be made so that only one face of the substrate has more hydrophobic fibers than that of the overall composition. In this case, the substrate would be sided, providing one smooth surface with increased synthetic content, and a more draggy surface made of cellulose or treated cellulose derivatives. The presence of increased hydrophobic material at the surface(s) of the substrate also is shown to improve the lubricity or glide of the substrate as it is wiped across a variety of hard surfaces. This can provide reassurance of “easy cleaning” in the context of a consumer goods product.

Suitable non-synthetic materials are man-made fibers and natural fibers. The term man-made fiber, as used herein, denotes fibers manufactured from cellulose, either derivative or regenerated. They are distinguished from synthetic fibers, which are based on synthetic organic polymers. A derivative fiber, as used herein, is one formed when a chemical derivative of a natural polymer, e.g., cellulose, is prepared, dissolved, and extruded as a continuous filament, and the chemical nature of the derivative is retained after the fiber formation process. A regenerated fiber, as used herein, is one formed when a natural polymer, or its chemical derivative, is dissolved and extruded as a continuous filament, and the chemical nature of the natural polymer is either retained or regenerated after the fiber formation process. Typical examples of man made fibers include: regenerated viscose rayon and cellulose acetate. Preferred man-made fibers have a fineness of about 0.5 dtex to about 3.0 dtex, more preferably of about 1.0 dtex to about 2.0 dtex, most preferably of about 1.6 dtex to about 1.8 dtex.

Suitable, natural fibers are selected from the group consisting of wood pulp, cotton, hemp, and the like. Man-made fibers are preferred herein due to their high consumer acceptance and their cheap and typically ecological production. Importantly, man-made fibers and in particular cellulose derived man-made fibers exhibit a high biodegradability, hence are environment friendly after disposal. Natural fibers can be preferred because they do not require the modifications needed to create the man-made fibers. As such natural fibers can provide cost advantages.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the man-made fiber for use in the substrate herein is a hydrophilic material, such as Tencel® rayon, Lenzing AG rayon®, micro-denier rayon, and Lyocell®. Hydrophilic man-made fiber material, when at least partially present in the substrate herein, has been found to allow for increased loading factor (described hereinafter) of the aqueous chemical composition applied to the substrate. Indeed, it has been found that a man-made fiber-containing substrate can incorporate more aqueous cleaning composition than a purely synthetic substrate. Furthermore, it has been found that a pre-moistened wipe comprising man-made fiber shows a slower release of the composition impregnated thereon during use as compared to a purely synthetic substrate. By slower releasing said composition, the area that can be treated with the pre-moistened wipe is significantly increased. Additionally, the slower release ensures improved even-ness of solution distribution and coverage over the surfaces treated.

Suitable, man-made fibers are commercially available under the trade name Lyocell® fibers that are produced by dissolving cellulose fibers in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and which are supplied by Tencel Fibers United Kingdom.

Preferred man made fibers used for the present invention are selected from the group consisting of viscose rayon, high absorbency rayon, Tencel® rayon, Lenzing AG rayon® and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the man made fibers used for the present invention are selected from the group consisting of viscose rayon and high absorbency rayon. It is understood that the specific choice of rayon type will depend on the desired cleaning and absorbency characteristics and associated costs.

The substrate herein is provided in the form of a web, typically as a sheet of material cut from the web. Said web may be made of the sheets of material from which the wipes are produced, preferably cut. The web may be woven or non-woven, comprising either synthetic, non-synthetic material, or mixtures of synthetic and non-synthetic material; in a preferred embodiment, the web is a non-woven comprising at least about 20% synthetic material.

According to the present invention, the sheet may be produced by any method known in the art. For example non-woven material substrates can be formed by dry forming techniques such as air-laying or wet laying such as on a papermaking machine. Other non-woven manufacturing techniques such as hydroentangling, melt blown, spun bonded, needle punched and methods may also be used. However, the substrate must be made substantially free of binder or latex, more preferably binder and latex. Many manufacturing techniques, such as air-laying, do not lend themselves to the formation of binder- and latex-free substrates. As such they are not preferred manufacturing techniques.

The substrate preferably has a weight of from about 20 gm⁻² to about 200 gm⁻². More preferably, the substrate has a weight of at least about 20 gm⁻² and more preferably less than about 150 gm⁻², more preferably the base weight is in the range of about 20 gm⁻² to about 120 gm⁻², and most preferably from about 30 gm⁻² to about 110 gm⁻². The substrate may have any caliper. Typically, when the substrate is made by hydroentangling, the average substrate caliper is less than about 1.2 mm at a pressure of about 0.1 pounds per square inch. More preferably the average caliper of the substrate is from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm at a pressure of about 0.1 pounds per square inch (about 0.007 kilograms per square meter). The substrate caliper is measured according to standard EDANA nonwoven industry methodology, reference method # 30.4-89.

In addition to the fibers used to make the substrate, the substrate can comprise other components or materials added thereto as known in the art, including opacifying agents, for example titanium dioxide, to improve the optical characteristics of the substrate.

The substrate herein is substantially free, preferably free, of a binder or latex material. Substantial elimination of binders and latexes, and the like, can be accomplished by pre-washing the dry substrate in soft, distilled or de-ionized water or other solvents, or by using a process, such as hydroentangling (this is also known as spunlace technology). More specifically, in the hydroentangling process, a fibrous web is exposed subjected to high-velocity water jets, preferably employing de-ionized, distilled or soft water that entangle the fibers. The non-woven material may then be subjected to conventional drying and wind-up operations, as known to those skilled in the art. Since the hydroentangling process precludes the use of binders, and can be used to wash off fiber latexes, it is the most preferred process to be used in the manufacture of substrates of the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the pre-moistened wipe comprises a substrate with a composition as described herein applied thereon. By “applied” it is meant herein that said substrate is coated or impregnated with a liquid composition as described herein.

In preparing pre-moistened wipes according to the present invention, the composition is applied to at least one surface of the substrate material. The composition can be applied at any time during the manufacture of the pre-moistened wipe. Preferably the composition can be applied to the substrate after the substrate has been dried. Any variety of application methods that evenly distribute lubricious materials having a molten or liquid consistency can be used. Suitable methods include spraying, printing, (e.g. flexographic printing), coating (e.g. gravure coating or flood coating) extrusion whereby the composition is forced through tubes in contact with the substrate whilst the substrate passes across the tube or combinations of these application techniques. For example spraying the composition on a rotating surface such as calender roll that then transfers the composition to the surface of the substrate. The composition can be applied either to one surface of the substrate or both surfaces, preferably both surfaces. The preferred application method is extrusion coating.

The composition can also be applied uniformly or non-uniformly to the surfaces of the substrate. By non-uniform it is meant that for example the amount, pattern of distribution of the composition can vary over the surface of the substrate. For example some of the surface of the substrate can have greater or lesser amounts of composition, including portions of the surface that do not have any composition on it. Preferably however the composition is uniformly applied to the surfaces of the wipes.

Preferably, the composition can be applied to the substrate at any point after it has been dried. For example the composition can be applied to the substrate prior to calendering or after calendering and prior to being wound up onto a parent roll. Typically, the application will be carried out on a substrate unwound from a roll having a width equal to a substantial number of wipes it is intended to produce. The substrate with the composition applied thereto is then subsequently perforated utilising standard techniques in order to produce the desired perforation line.

The composition is typically applied in an amount of from about 1 g to about 10 g per gram of substrate (load factor=about 1-about 10×), preferably from about 1.5 g to about 8.5 g per gram of substrate, most preferably from about 2 g to about 7 g per gram of dry substrate. One of the benefits associated with the compositions of the present invention is that high load factors can be used without significantly compromising filming and/or streaking results, in part, because the substrate does not contribute to filming and streaking issues. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the exact amount of aqueous composition applied to the substrate will depend on the basis weight of the substrate and on the end use of the product. In one preferred embodiment, a relatively low basis weight substrate, from about 20 gm⁻² to about 80 gm⁻² is used in the making of a pre-moistened wipe suitable for cleaning counters, stove tops, cabinetry, walls, sinks and the like. For such end uses, the dry substrate is loaded with an aqueous composition of the invention at a factor of from about 4 grams to about 10 grams per gram of dry substrate. In another preferred embodiment, a higher basis substrate, from about 70 gm⁻² to about 200 gm⁻² is used in the making of the pre-moistened wipe suitable for cleaning larger area surfaces, including floors, walls and the like. In such instances, the wipe is preferably sold with, or designed to work with, a hand held implement comprising a handle and designed for wiping and cleaning. Examples of such implements are commercially available under the trade names Swiffer®, Grab-Its® and Vileda®. For such end uses, the dry substrate is loaded with an aqueous composition of the invention at a factor of from about 4 grams to about 10 grams per gram of dry substrate.

Suitable substrates are commercially available under the trade names DuPont 8838®, Kimberly Clark Hydroknit® or Fibrella 3160® (Suominen). These substrates use a combination of homogeneously distributed synthetic and natural fibers and use the preferred hydroentangling process. Substrates manufactured by alternative processes can also be used, provided they are first made to be substantially free of binders, latexes and fiber finishes.

It is found that filming and/or streaking results are chiefly dependent on the binder and or latex content in the substrate. Additionally, the Applicant has found that cleaning benefits can be achieved when the substrate comprises at least about 20% synthetic fibers. Even higher levels of synthetic fibers can be advantageous for increased cleaning benefits.

Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory, the unexpectedly good cleaning performance on greasy soils and other hydrophobic soils of acidic compositions of the wipes of the present invention is attributed to the use of substrate with at least about 20% synthetic content, more preferably at least about 40% synthetic content, most preferably at least about 50% synthetic content. It is believed that the synthetic content of the substrate more strongly adsorbs greasy/oily soils, thus eliminating the need for traditional grease hydrolysis pathways that are promoted by the use of high pH compositions. Whilst not being bound by theory, it is believed that hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions between substrate and soil account for improved removal of greasy soils. Thus, saturated and unsaturated oils, fatty acids, oxidized oils and polymerized grease are all removed with enhanced ease and thoroughness by a wipe that compositionally has a significant synthetic component. Further, the benefits of the synthetic component of the substrate go beyond just the cleaning of pure greasy stains. It is found that the hydrophobic component of the substrate increases removal of complex soils in which the oils or other greasy components are present even if they represent minority components of the overall soil mixture. In this respect, the use of substrate comprising at least about 20% synthetic component is advantageous for the cleaning of common soils that occur in kitchens, bathrooms and elsewhere in consumers' homes including floors.

It has been found that acidic pre-moistened wipes comprising at least about 20% synthetic fibers provide surprisingly good cleaning performance on a wide range of soils including greasy or grease-containing soils as often can be found on kitchen. The selection of substrate comprising at least about 20% synthetic fibers is surprising because alkalinity is usually required effective for grease cleaning. The Applicant has found that pre-moistened wipes comprising a substrate that is at least partially synthetic, more preferably mostly synthetic, provides cleaning of grease soils that rivals that of highly alkaline pre-moistened wipes that do not comprise synthetic substrate. The incorporation of synthetic fibers into the substrate is also found to enhance the cleaning of tough acid-sensitive stains, such as soap scum, though to a lesser extent. The substrate contributes more to the cleaning of alkaline-sensitive stains because acidic compositions, in the absence of a substrate comprising at least partially synthetic fibers, are ineffective in the removal of greasy soils.

Aqueous Composition

The composition of the present invention is formulated as a pre-moistened wipe comprising a liquid composition. A preferred composition herein is an aqueous composition and therefore, preferably comprises water more preferably in an amount of from about 60% to about 99%, even more preferably of from about 70% to about 98% and most preferably about 80% to about 97% by weight of the total composition.

In a highly preferred embodiment, the aqueous compositions herein also comprise at least one water-soluble solvent with a vapour pressure of greater than about 0.05 mm Hg at 1 atmosphere pressure (about 6.66 Pa).

The solids content of the aqueous compositions of the present invention is generally low, preferably from about 0.01% to about 4%, more preferably from about 0.05% to about 3%, most preferably from about 0.10% to about 2.0%. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the aqueous compositions of the present invention can be made in the form of about 5×, about 10×, or even higher concentrates as desired, and then diluted prior use. The making of concentrated solutions is particularly beneficial if the aqueous composition must be transported.

The pH of the liquid composition according to the present invention may typically be from about 0 to about 14. The pH measurement is performed by pre-loading the aqueous composition onto the substrate, allowing the substrate and lotion to equilibrate at ambient conditions for at least 48 hours, more preferably at least 72 hours, expressing the aqueous composition from the substrate and then running the pH measurement on the freed-up aqueous solution.

In a preferred embodiment wherein the aqueous composition herein comprises at least one acidifying agent, the pH range of the compositions measured by squeezing out aqueous solution from the pre-moistened wipes, is preferably from about 0.5 to about 7, more preferably from pH about 1.0 to about 6, more preferably from pH about 2 to about 5.5, and most preferably from pH about 2.5 to about 5. A suitable acid for use herein is an organic and/or an inorganic acid, preferably an organic acid. A preferred organic acid for use herein has a pKa of less than about 6. Examples of suitable organic acids include acetic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid and a mixture thereof. A mixture of succinic, glutaric and adipic acids is commercially available from BASF under the trade name Sokalan® DCS. Polymeric organic acids, such as poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(aspartic acid) can also be used. Among organic acids, citric acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid and tartaric acid are highly preferred. For cost, availability and regulatory reasons citric acid is most preferred. A suitable inorganic acid is selected from the group consisting hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and a mixture thereof.

A typical level of organic acid is of from about 0.1% to about 3.0%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 1.5% and more preferably from about 0.25% to about 1.0% by weight of the total composition. A typical level of inorganic acid is from about 0.01% to about 1%, more preferably about 0.01% to about 0.5%. The specific level of acid will depend on the magnitude and type of the benefits sought. Higher levels promote improved cleaning of acid-sensitive soils while lower levels provide better filming streaking. The most preferred levels have been found to provide a combination of adequate buffering capacity, excellent cleaning and good filming/streaking properties. As such, organic acids are generally preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, wherein the pre-moistened wipes are to be applied on hard surfaces soiled with hard watermarks, limescale and/or soap scum, and the like, the aqueous compositions of the present invention comprise at least one acidifying agent to ensure a pH no greater than about 7. Such soils are frequently encountered on bathroom surfaces. Accordingly, the compositions herein may further comprise acid or base buffers to adjust pH as appropriate.

When present, a typical level of organic acid is of from about 0.05% to about 3.0%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 2.0% and more preferably from about 0.2% to about 1.5% by weight of the total composition. The specific level of acid will depend on the magnitude and type of the benefits sought. Higher levels promote improved cleaning of acid-sensitive soils and provide antimicrobial benefits while lower levels provide better filming streaking. The most preferred levels have been found to provide a combination of adequate buffering capacity, excellent cleaning and good filming/streaking properties. A typical level of inorganic acid is from about 0.01% to about 1.0%, more preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.5%.

In another preferred embodiment herein, especially wherein the pre-moistened wipes are to be applied on hard surfaces soiled with very tough greasy or grease-containing soil as often can be found on kitchen surfaces, the pH range of the aqueous solution composition, squeezed out from the pre-moistened wipe, is from about 6 to about 13, preferably from pH about 7 to about 12.5, more preferably from pH about 8 to about 12 and most preferably from pH about 9 to about 11.5. Accordingly, the compositions herein may further comprise acid or base buffers to adjust pH as appropriate.

A suitable base to be used herein is an organic and/or inorganic base. Suitable organic bases include alkanolamines such as ethanolamine, tri-ethanolamine, 2-amino-1-methyl propanol and the like. Another suitable organic bases include amine derivatives such as 1,3-bis (aminomethyl) cylohexane. Suitable inorganic bases for use herein are the caustic alkalis, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or lithium hydroxide, and/or the alkali metal oxides such, as sodium and/or potassium oxide or mixtures thereof. Other suitable inorganic alkalinity agents include the sodium and potassium salts of carbonic acid such as sodium carbonate, and alkanol amines, including mono-ethanol amine, tri-ethanol amine and 1-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol. A preferred base is a caustic alkali, more preferably sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide. Another preferred base is ammonia, not only because of its efficiency and effectiveness, but also because it is volatile and such, does not contribute to residue formation.

Typical levels of such bases, when present, are of from about 0.01% to about 1.0%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.75% and more preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight of the total composition. The level of base will depend on the choice of agent. For highly efficient alkaline agents such as ammonia and sodium and/or potassium hydroxide, the level is preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.5%, more preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.25%, and more preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.20%.

The alkaline wipes according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention combine low residue surfactant and a substrate comprising at least about 20% synthetic fiber, thus creating the strongest combination (i.e., solution alkalinity+synthetic fibers) for the efficient removal of grease and excellent filming and streaking. However, these wipes are not preferred for the tackling of acidic soils, mainly because acidity is essential for the effective removal of these soils.

Low-Residue Surfactant

As an essential ingredient the composition applied to the pre-moistened wipes according to the present invention comprises a low-residue surfactant or a mixture thereof.

By “low-residue surfactant” it is meant herein any surfactant that mitigates the appearance of either streaks or films upon evaporation of the aqueous compositions comprising said surfactant. In a preferred embodiment, a low residue surfactant-containing composition may be identified using either gloss-meter readings or expert visual grade readings, and running tests on the compositions on tile. The conditions for the determination of what constitutes a low-residue surfactant are one of the following: (a) less than about 1.5% gloss loss on black shiny porcelain tiles, preferably black shiny Extracompa® porcelain tiles used in this invention; or (b) lack of significant filming and/streaking on Extracompa black shiny ceramic tiles as judged by one skilled in the art.

Whilst not wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that low residue surfactants exhibit a reduced tendency for inter-molecular aggregation. With less aggregation of surfactant molecules to form visible macromolecular complexes following evaporation of water from the aqueous compositions, the remaining residue is less visible, resulting in fewer streaks. Unlike conventional non-ionic surfactants such as alkyl ethoxylates and alkyl phenyl ethoxylates, which exhibit rich phase chemistry, the “low residue” surfactants do not easily form anisotropic macromolecular structures in water, which helps make the film which they form upon dry-down from solution less visible. Indeed, the residue is observed to be nearly colorless, leading to films that are essentially not visible to the naked eye.

As identified within this invention there are three classes of low residue surfactants: selected non-ionic surfactants, and zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants. One class of low residue surfactants is the group of non-ionic surfactants that include a head group consisting of one or more sugar moieties. Examples include alkyl polyglycosides, especially poly alkyl glucosides, and sucrose esters. The chain length of alkyl polyglycoside surfactants is preferably about C6 to about C18, more preferably from about C8 to about C16. The chain length of the preferred sucrose esters is C16-C22. The hydrophilic component of these surfactants may comprise one or more sugar moieties liked by glycosidic linkages. In a preferred embodiment, the average number of sugar moieties per surfactant chain length is from about 1 to about 3, more preferably from about 1.1 to about 2.2.

The most preferred non-ionic low residue surfactants are the alkylpolysaccharides that are disclosed in U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,872, Cleansing compositions, issued Jul. 7, 1998, to Giret, Michel Joseph; Langlois, Anne; and Duke, Roland Philip; U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,059, Three in one ultra mild lathering antibacterial liquid personal cleansing composition, issued Mar. 16, 1999, to Furman, Christopher Allen; Giret, Michel Joseph; and Dunbar, James Charles; etc.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,062, Manual dishwashing compositions, issued Mar. 16, 1999, to Addison, Michael Crombie; Foley, Peter Robert; and Allsebrook, Andrew Micheal; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,973, issued May 25, 1999, Process for cleaning vertical or inclined hard surfaces, by Ouzounis, Dimitrios and Nierhaus, Wolfgang.

Suitable alkyl polyglucosides for use herein are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647, Llenado, issued Jan. 21, 1986, having a hydrophobic group containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms and polysaccharide, e.g., a polyglycoside, hydrophilic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7 saccharide units. Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, e.g., glucose, galactose, and galactosyl moieties can be substituted for the glucosyl moieties. (Optionally the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2-, 3-, 4-, etc. positions thus giving a glucose or galactose as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside.). The intersaccharide bonds can be, e.g., between the one position of the additional saccharide units and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6-positions of the preceding saccharide units. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose.

Optionally, there can be a polyalkyleneoxide chain joining the hydrophobic moiety and the polysaccharide moiety. The preferred alkyleneoxide is ethylene oxide. Typical hydrophobic groups include alkyl groups, either saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched containing from about 8 to about 18, preferably from about 10 to about 16, carbon atoms. Preferably, the alkyl group can contain up to about 3 hydroxy groups and/or the polyalkyleneoxide chain can contain up to about 10, preferably less than about 5, alkyleneoxide moieties. Suitable alkyl polysaccharides are octyl, nonyldecyl, undecyldodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, and octadecyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides, galactosides, lactosides, glucoses, fructosides, fructoses and/or galactoses. Suitable mixtures include coconut alkyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentaglucosides and tallow alkyl tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides.

The preferred alkylpolyglycosides have the formula: R²O(C_(n)H_(2n)O)_(t)(glucosyl)_(x) wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups contain from about 10 to about 18, preferably from about 12 to about 14, carbon atoms; n is about 2 or about 3, preferably about 2; t is from 0 to about 10, preferably 0; and x is from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl units can then be attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units 2-, 3-, 4- and/or 6-position, preferably predominantely the 2-position.

Zwitterionic surfactants represent a second class of highly preferred low residue surfactants. Zwitterionic surfactants contain both cationic and anionic groups on the same molecule over a wide pH range. The typical cationic group is a quaternary ammonium group, although other positively charged groups like sulfonium and phosphonium groups can also be used. The typical anionic groups are carboxylates and sulfonates, preferably sulfonates, although other groups like sulfates, phosphates and the like, can be used. Some common examples of these detergents are described in the patent literature: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference.

A generic formula for some preferred zwitterionic surfactants is: R—N⁺(R²)(R³)(R⁴)X⁻, wherein R is a hydrophobic group; R² and R³ are each a C1-4 alkyl hydroxy alkyl or other substituted alkyl group which can be joined to form ring structures with the N; R⁴ is a moiety joining the cationic nitrogen to the hydrophilic anionic group, and is typically an alkylene, hydroxy alkylene, or polyalkoxyalkylene containing from one to four carbon atoms; and X is the hydrophilic group, most preferably a sulfonate group.

Preferred hydrophobic groups R are alkyl groups containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably less than about 18 carbon atoms. The hydrophobic moieties can optionally contain sites of instauration and/or substituents and/or linking groups such as aryl groups, amido groups, ester groups, etc. In general, the simple alkyl groups are preferred for cost and stability reasons. A specific example of a “simple” zwitterionic surfactant is 3-(N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethyl)-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate available from the Degussa-Goldschmidt Company under the tradename Varion HC®.

Other specific zwitterionic surfactants have the generic formula: R—C(O)—N(R²)—(CR³ ₂)_(n)—N(R²)₂ ⁺—(CR³ ₂)_(n)—SO₃ ⁻, wherein each R is a hydrocarbon, e.g., an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 20, preferably up to about 18, more preferably up to about 16 carbon atoms, each (R²) is either a hydrogen (when attached to the amido nitrogen), short chain alkyl or substituted alkyl containing from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, preferably groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxy substituted ethyl and propyl and mixtures thereof, more preferably methyl, each (R³) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxyl groups, and each n is a number from about 1 to about 4, more preferably about 2 or about 3, most preferably about 3, with no more than about 1 hydroxy group in any (CR³ ₂) moiety. The R group can be linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated. The R² groups can also be connected to form ring structures. A highly preferred low residue surfactant of this type is a C12-14 acylamidopropylene (hydroxypropylene)_sulfobetaine that is available from Degussa-Goldschmidt under the tradename Rewoteric AM CAS-15U®.

Compositions of this invention containing the above hydrocarbyl amido sulfobetaine can contain more perfume and/or hydrophobic perfumes than similar compositions containing conventional anionic surfactants. This can be desirable in the preparation of consumer products.

Other very useful zwitterionic surfactants include hydrocarbyl, e.g., fatty alkylene betaines. These surfactants tend to become more cationic as pH is lowered due to protonation of the carboxyl anionic group, and in one embodiment have the generic formula: R—N(R¹)₂ ⁺—(CR² ₂)_(n)—COO⁻, wherein R is a hydrocarbon, e.g., an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 20, preferably up to about 18, more preferably up to about 16 carbon atoms, each (R¹) is a short chain alkyl or substituted alkyl containing from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, preferably groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxy substituted ethyl and propyl and mixtures thereof, more preferably methyl, (R²) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxyl groups, and n is a number from about 1 to about 4, preferably about 1. A highly preferred low residue surfactant of this type is Empigen BB®, a coco dimethyl betaine produced by Albright & Wilson.

In another equally preferred embodiment, these betaine surfactants have the generic formula: R—C(O)—N(R²)—(CR³ ₂)_(n)—N(R²)₂ ⁺—(CR³ ₂)_(n)—COO⁻, wherein each R is a hydrocarbon, e.g., an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 20, preferably up to about 18, more preferably up to about 16 carbon atoms, each (R²) is either a hydrogen (when attached to the amido nitrogen), short chain alkyl or substituted alkyl containing from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, preferably groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxy substituted ethyl and propyl and mixtures thereof, more preferably methyl, each (R³) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxyl groups, and each n is a number from about 1 to about 4, more preferably about 2 or about 3, most preferably about 3, with no more than about 1 hydroxy group in any (CR³ ₂) moiety. The R group can be linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated. The R² groups can also be connected to form ring structures. A highly preferred low residue surfactant of this type is TEGO Betain F®, a coco amido propyl betaine produced by Degussa-Goldschmidt.

The third class of preferred low residue surfactants comprises the group consisting of amphoteric surfactants. These surfactants function essentially as zwitterionic surfactants at acidic pH. One suitable amphoteric surfactant is a C8-C16 amido alkylene glycinate surfactant (‘ampho glycinate’). Another suitable amphoteric surfactant is a C8-C16 amido alkylene propionate surfactant (‘ampho propionate’). These surfactants are essentially cationic at acidic pH. The amphoglycinate surfactants preferably have the generic structure: R—C(O)—(CH₂)_(n)—N(R¹)—(CH₂)_(x)—COOH, wherein R—C(O)— is a C5-C15, pre hydrophobic fatty acyl moiety, each n is from about 1 to about 3, each R1 is preferably hydrogen or a C1-C2 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, and x is about 1 or about 2. Such surfactants are available, in the salt form, from Degussa-Goldschmidt chemicals under the tradename Rewoteric AM®. Examples of other suitable low residue surfactants include cocoyl amido ethyleneamine-N-(methyl)acetates, cocoyl amido ethyleneamine-N-(hydroxyethyl) acetates, cocoyl amido propyleneamine-N-(hydroxyethyl)acetates, and analogs and mixtures thereof.

Other suitable, amphoteric surfactants being either cationic or anionic depending upon the pH of the system are represented by surfactants such as dodecylbeta-alanine, N-alkyltaurines such as the one prepared by reacting dodecylamine with sodium isethionate according to the teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 2,658,072, N-higher alkylaspartic acids such as those produced according to the teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 2,438,091, and the products sold under the trade name “Miranol®”, and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,528,378, said patents being incorporated herein by reference.

Low-residue surfactants contribute to better filming/streaking performance (i.e., low or substantially no visible streaks- and/or film-formation) of the pre-moistened wipes according to the present invention. Whilst not wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that the bulky sugar moieties of alkyl polyglycosides and sucrose esters function to inhibit the aggregation of surfactant that occurs upon evaporation of water in the aqueous solutions of the present invention. It is also believed that the zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants show reduced aggregation relative to conventional surfactants because the intra-molecular electrostatic attractions between the anionically and cationically charged groups are stronger than the intermolecular surfactant-surfactant attractions. This results in a reduced tendency for molecular assembly that inhibits visible residue.

Preferably, the low residue surfactant herein is selected from the group consisting of zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants, and non-ionic surfactants comprising at least one sugar moiety and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the low residue surfactant herein is selected from the group consisting of sulfobetaines, betaines, ampho glycinates, ampho propionates, poly alkyl glycosides, and mixtures thereof and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the low residue surfactant herein is selected from the group consisting of sulfobetaines and poly alkyl glycosides and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the low residue surfactant herein is selected in order to provide a black shiny Extracompa® ceramic tile treated with the pre-moistened wipe herein with a gloss-meter reading such that the composition does not cause a significant loss in gloss on the tiles, relative to clean untreated tiles, when tested with a BYK gloss-meter® using a 60° angle setting. By ‘not significant loss in gloss’, it is meant that the gloss loss on clean untreated 20 cm×20 cm×1 cm Extracompa® black shiny ceramic tiles (made by Senio) resulting from treatment with the pre-moistened wipes of the invention is less than about 1.5%. The above test is performed as described herein below.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the low residue surfactant herein is selected in order to provide an Extracompa® black shiny ceramic tile (described in the experimental section) treated with the pre-moistened wipe herein with a gloss-meter reading such that the loss of gloss induced by the wipe composition, following the experimental procedure herein described, is less than about 1.5% when tested with a BYK gloss-meter® using a 60° angle setting. Significance in gloss loss between wipes comprising different types of substrate is also measured.

By ‘significant enhancement (or gain) in gloss’, it is meant herein that the mean difference in gloss between tiles treated with two separate wipe treatments using 15 readings for each is statistically significant (α=0.05). In these filming/streaking tests, statistical significance is established at the 95% confidence level (α=0.05), using a one-tailed test and pair-wise statistical treatment of the samples. All samples are assumed to exhibit a normal distribution with equal variances. Using the raw data, t-tests are calculated and compared to the critical t statistic. When the calculated t-test exceeds t-critical, the samples are ‘significantly’ different. When t-calculated is less than t-critical, the samples are not ‘significantly’ different. The direction of the significance is determined by sign of the mean differences (i.e., ‘either mean treatment δ’, or ‘mean δ (PHMB-noPHMB)’. For example, if the mean gloss reading for a treatment lacking binder is higher than that for an equivalent composition does comprise binder, and t-calculated exceeds t-critical, then the data suggest that at a 95% confidence level (α=0.05) the non-binder containing wipe has a significantly higher gloss than the binder-containing wipe. The statistics treatment of paired samples can be found in Anderson, Sweeney and Williams, Statistics for Business and Economics, 6^(th) edition, West Publishing Company, 1996, incorporated herein by reference. The statistics can be conveniently run using the statistical function in Microsoft Excel™. Excel provides a P-value, which corresponds to the level of significance of the results. P-values below 0.05 indicate statistical significance at α=0.05; P-values above 0.05 indicate no statistical significance at α=0.05.

Low-residue surfactants can be present in the compositions of this invention at a level of from about 0.01% to about 1.5%, preferably of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and more preferably of from about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight of the total composition.

Optional Ingredients

Polymeric Biguanide Antimicrobial Agent:

As an optional but highly preferred ingredient the composition applied to the pre-moistened wipes according to the present invention comprises a polymeric biguanide. Any polymeric biguanide known to those skilled in the art, or mixtures thereof, may be used herein.

Biguanide agents are characterized in comprising at least one, preferably 2 or more, biguanide moieties according to the following formula: —NH—C(═NH)—NH—C(═NH)—NH—

In the context of the compositions of this invention, the polymeric biguanides are oligo- or poly(alkylene biguanides) or salts thereof or mixtures thereof. More preferred biguanides are oligo- or poly(hexamethylene biguanides) or salts thereof or mixtures thereof.

In a most preferred embodiment according to the present invention said polymeric biguanide is a poly(hexamethylene biguanide) or salt thereof according to the following formula: —[—(CH₂)₃—NH—C(═NH)—NH—C(═NH)—NH—(CH₂)₃—]_(n)— wherein n is an integer selected from about 1 to about 50, preferably about 1 to about 20, more preferably about 9 to about 18. More preferably said biguanide is a salt of a poly(hexamethylene biguanide) according to the following formula: —[—(CH₂)₃—NH—C(═NH)—NH—C(═NH)—NH—(CH₂)₃—]_(n) —.nHX wherein n is an integer selected from about 1 to about 50, preferably about 1 to about 20, more preferably about 9 to about 18, and HX is salt component, preferably HCl.

A most preferred poly(hexamethylene biguanide)hydrochloride (PHMB) wherein in the above formula n=12, is commercially available under the trade name Vantocil P®, Vantocil IB® or Cosmocil CQ® from Avecia. Another suitable PHMB wherein n=15, is commercially sold by Avecia under the tradename Reputex 20®. The choice of poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride, as the most preferred polymeric biguanide for the compositions of this invention is driven by its unusually good filming and streaking properties within the scope of the compositions disclosed herein, and by its regulatory status as an approved antimicrobial active for hard surface cleaning applications in the European Union (Biocidal Products Directive) and in the United States (EPA actives list).

The Applicant has found that the micro-effectiveness of PHMB is optimized at relatively low concentrations of organic acid. For example, the effectiveness of PHMB as an antimicrobial active in a composition of the invention comprising about 0.25% citric acid is enhanced relative to a similar composition comprising about 1% citric acid. This is advantageous since lower concentrations of acid tend to result in improved filming and streaking benefits, all while promoting good antimicrobial efficiency.

Typically, the composition herein may comprise up to about 2%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 1%, more preferably from about 0.02% to about 0.75%, even more preferably from about 0.03% to about 0.5%, by weight of the total composition of a polymeric biguanide. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the level of polymeric biguanide is dependent on the magnitude of the gloss and optional antimicrobial benefits sought. Additionally, the polymeric biguanides do not deleteriously impact cleaning, and in some cases are found to provide improved cleaning versus identical compositions that do not comprise the polymer. Polymeric biguanides may also provide next-time cleaning benefits, meaning that they make subsequent cleanings easier.

For hygiene claims in Europe, and sanitization, and ‘Limited Disinfection’ benefits in Canada and the United States, lower levels of polymeric biguanide, up to about 0.20%, are sufficient. For complete biocidal effectiveness against Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms, it is recommended that at least about 0.20%, more preferably about 0.25% most preferably about 0.30% polymeric biguanide compound be included in the aqueous composition. Higher levels of biguanide may be needed, up to about 2%, for particularly tough to kill microorganisms such as Trychophyton or other fungi.

Surfactants

The compositions of the present invention may comprise a surfactant or mixtures thereof in addition to the low-residue surfactants as described herein above as a highly preferred optional ingredient.

Importantly, the Applicant has found that the use of a low residue surfactant in combination with a conventional surfactant (i.e., non-low residue) can mitigate filming and/or streaking issues relative to similar compositions that only use the conventional surfactant.

The additional surfactant herein can be non-ionic, anionic, cationic, and mixtures thereof. The purpose of the surfactant is improved wetting of the hard surfaces to be treated. The wetting properties of the surfactant are essential to the compositions of the invention. The hydrophobic tail of the surfactant can be linear or branched, aliphatic aromatic. The hydrophilic head group can consist of any group such that provides wetting properties. Said surfactant may be present in the compositions according to the present invention in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1.5%, preferably of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and more preferably of from about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight of the total aqueous composition.

The surfactant is defined as any material with a hydrophobic component consisting of a hydrocarbon moiety with between about 6 carbon atoms about 20 carbon atoms, and a hydrophilic head group.

More specifically, groups of non-ionic surfactants that can be used in the context of the following invention are as follows:

-   (i) The polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenyls, e.g., the     condensation products of alkyl phenyls having an alkyl group     containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms in either a     straight chain or branched chain configuration, with ethylene oxide,     the said ethylene oxide being present in amounts equal to about 10     to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenyl. The     alkyl substituent in such compounds may be derived from polymerized     propylene, diisobutylene, octane, and nonane. -   (ii) Those derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with the     product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylene     diamine products, which may be varied, in composition depending upon     the balance between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements, which     is desired. Examples are to increase the water-solubility of the     molecule as a whole and the liquid character of the products is     retained up to the point where polyoxyethylene content is about 50%     of the total weight of the condensation product; compounds     containing from about 40% to about 80% polyoxyethylene by weight and     having a molecular weight of from about 5000 to about 11000     resulting from the reaction of ethylene oxide groups with a     hydrophobic base constituted of the reaction product of ethylene     diamine and excess propylene oxide, said base having a molecular     weight of the order of about 2500 to about 3000. -   (iii) The condensation product of aliphatic alcohols having from     about 6 to about 18 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or     branched chain configuration, with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide,     butylene oxide, and mixtures thereof, e.g., a coconut alcohol     ethylene oxide condensate having from about 3 to about 15 moles of     ethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol, the coconut alcohol     fraction having from about 10 to about 14 carbon atoms; such     materials are commonly known as ‘alkyl alkoxylates’ or ‘alcohol     alkoxylates’. In some cases, an alkyl ethoxylates can have capping     groups, meaning that they have the structure R1-(EO)_(x)R2, where R1     is a C6-C18 linear or branched moiety, x is from about 1 to about 15     and R2, the capping group, is a C1-C8 hydrocarbyl moiety. -   (iv) Trialkyl amine oxides and trialkyl phosphine oxides wherein one     alkyl group ranges from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and two     alkyl groups range from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; the alkyl groups can     contain hydroxy substituents; specific examples are dodecyl     di(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide and tetradecyl dimethyl phosphine     oxide.

Although not preferred, the condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol are also suitable for use herein. The hydrophobic portion of these compounds will preferably have a molecular weight of from about 1500 to about 1800 and will exhibit water insolubility. The addition of polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation product, which corresponds to condensation with up to about 40 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially available Pluronic® surfactants, marketed by BASF. Chemically, such surfactants have the structure (EO)_(x)(PO)_(y)(EO)_(z) or (PO)_(x)(EO)_(y)(PO)_(z) wherein x, y and z are from about 1 to about 100, preferably about 3 to about 50. Pluronic® surfactants known to be good wetting surfactants are more preferred. A description of the Pluronic® surfactants, and properties thereof, including wetting properties, can be found in the brochure entitled BASF Performance Chemicals Plutonic® & Tetronic® Surfactants”, available from BASF and incorporated herein by reference.

Also not preferred, though suitable as non-ionic surfactants herein are the condensation products of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. The hydrophobic moiety of these products consists of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2,500 to about 3,000. This hydrophobic moiety is condensed with ethylene oxide to the extent that the condensation product contains from about 40% to about 80% by weight of polyoxyethylene and has a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 11,000. Examples of this type of non-ionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available Tetronic® compounds, marketed by BASF.

Other non-ionic surfactants, though not preferred, for use herein include polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of the structural formula:

wherein: R¹ is H, C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, or a mixture thereof, preferably about C₁-C₄ alkyl, more preferably about C1 or about C2 alkyl, most preferably about C1 alkyl (i.e., methyl); and R² is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl, preferably straight chain C7-C19 alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight chain C9-C17 alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably straight chain C11-C17 alkyl or alkenyl, or mixtures thereof; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least about 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof. Z preferably will be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; more preferably Z is a glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose, and xylose. As raw materials, high dextrose corn syrup can be utilised as well as the individual sugars listed above. These corn syrups may yield a mix of sugar components for Z. It should be understood that it is by no means intended to exclude other suitable raw materials. Z preferably will be selected from the group consisting of —CH₂—(CHOH)_(n)—CH₂OH, —CH(CH₂OH)—(CHOH)_(n)—₁—CH₂OH, —CH₂—(CHOH)₂(CHOR′)(CHOH)—CH₂OH, where n is an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive, and R′ is H or a cyclic or aliphatic monosaccharide, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof. Most preferred are glycityls wherein n is 4, particularly —CH₂—(CHOH)₄—CH₂OH.

In Formula (I), R¹ can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxy ethyl, or N-2-hydroxy propyl. R²—CO—N< can be, for example, cocamide, stearamide, oleamide, lauramide, myristamide, capricamide, palmitamide, tallowamide, etc. Z can be 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxygalactityl, 1-deoxymannityl, 1-deoxymaltotriotityl, etc.

A detailed listing of suitable non-ionic surfactants useful in this invention can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,853, Collins, issued Dec. 10^(th), 1985 and incorporated herein by reference.

Another type of suitable non-ionic surfactants for use herein are the 2-alkyl alkanols having an alkyl chain comprising from about 6 to about 16, preferably from about 7 to about 13, more preferably from about 8 to about 12, most preferably from about 8 to about 10 carbon atoms and a terminal hydroxy group, said alkyl chain being substituted in the α position (i.e., position number 2) by an alkyl chain comprising from about 1 to about 10, preferably from about to about 8 and more preferably about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms.

Such suitable compounds are commercially available, for instance, as the Isofol® series such as Isofol® 12 (2-butyl octanol) or Isofol® 16 (2-hexyl decanol) commercially available from Condea.

Among non-low residue non-ionic surfactants, those formed by the reaction of an alcohol with one or more ethylene oxides, are most preferred. These surfactants are prone to form highly visible films. However, the Applicant has found that addition of low to moderate levels (e.g., about 0.05%-about 0.30%) of optional polymeric biguanide to compositions results in significant toning of the visible film, and leads to enhanced gloss on tile that is aesthetically pleasing. In effect, when present, the polymeric biguanides are found to be effective and efficient in removing alkyl ethoxylate-produced visible films from tiles. Non-limiting examples of groups of these preferred non-low residue alkyl alkoxylates include Neodol® surfactants (Shell), Tergitol® surfactants (Union Carbide) and Icconol® surfactants (BASF). One specific example is Neodol 91-6®, an alkyl ethoxylate comprising from about 9 to about 11 carbon atoms and an average of about 6 moles of ethoxylation made by Shell.

Anionic surfactants are not preferred in the present invention, particularly as primary or stand-alone surfactants, but can also be used. Anionic surfactants for use herein include alkali metal (e.g., sodium or potassium) fatty acids, or soaps thereof, containing from about 8 to about 24, preferably from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms, linear of branched C6-C16 alcohols, C6-C12 alkyl sulfonates, C6-C18 alkyl sulfates 2-ethyl-hexyl sulfosuccinate, C6-C16 alkyl carboxylates, C6-C18 alkyl ethoxy sulfates.

The fatty acids including those used in making the soaps can be obtained from natural sources such as, for instance, plant or animal-derived glycerides (e.g., palm oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, soybean oil, castor oil, tallow, whale oil, fish oil, tallow, grease, lard and mixtures thereof). The fatty acids can also be synthetically prepared (e.g., by oxidation of petroleum stocks or by the Fischer-Tropsch process). Alkali metal soaps can be made by direct soapification of fats and oils or by the neutralization of the free fatty acids which are prepared in a separate manufacturing process. Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium and potassium tallow and coconut soaps.

Other suitable anionic surfactants for use herein include water-soluble salts, particularly the alkali metal salts, of organic sulphuric reaction products having in the molecular structure an alkyl radical containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and a radical selected from the group consisting of sulfonic acid and sulfuric acid ester radicals. Important examples of these synthetic detergents are the sodium, ammonium or potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulphating the higher alcohols produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; sodium or potassium alkyl benzene sulfonates, in which the alkyl group contains from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, especially those of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383, incorporated herein by reference; sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates and sulfonates; sodium or potassium salts of sulphuric acid esters of the reaction product of one mole of a higher fatty alcohol (e.g., tallow or coconut oil alcohols) and about three moles of ethylene oxide; sodium or potassium salts of alkyl phenyl ethylene oxide ether sulfates with about four units of ethylene oxide per molecule and in which the alkyl radicals contain about 9 carbon atoms; sodium or potassium salts of alkyl ethylene oxide ether sulfates with about four units of ethylene oxide per molecule and in which the alkyl radicals contain about 6 to about 18 carbon atoms; the reaction product of fatty acids esterified with isothionic acid and neutralized with sodium hydroxide where, for example, the fatty acids are derived from coconut oil; sodium or potassium salts of fatty acid amide of a methyl taurine in which the fatty acids, for example, are derived from coconut oil; and others known in the art, a number being specifically set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,486,921, 2,486,922 and 2,396,278, incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable anionic surfactants include C6-C18 alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, C8-C18 methyl ester sulfonates, 2-ethyl-1-hexyl sulfosuccinamate, 2-ethyl-1-hexyl sulfosuccinate and the like.

Cationic surfactants are not preferred but can be used at low levels in compositions of the present invention are those having a long-chain hydrocarbyl group. Examples of such cationic surfactants include the ammonium surfactants such as alkyldimethylammonium halogenides, and those surfactants having the formula: [R²(OR³)_(y)][R⁴(OR³)_(y)]₂R⁵N⁺X⁻ wherein R² is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, each R³ is selected from the group consisting of —CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH(CH₃)—, —CH₂CH(CH₂OH)—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, and mixtures thereof; each R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl ring structures formed by joining the two R⁴ groups, —CH₂CHOH—CHOHCOR⁶CHOHCH₂OH wherein R⁶ is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight less than about 1000, and hydrogen when y is not 0; R⁵ is the same as R⁴ or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms of R² plus R⁵ is not more than about 18; each y is from 0 to about 10 and the sum of the y values is from 0 to about 15; and X is any compatible anion.

Other cationic surfactants useful herein are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,044, Cambre, issued Oct. 14, 1980, incorporated herein by reference.

Solvents

As an optional but highly preferred ingredient the composition applied to the pre-moistened wipes comprises one or more solvents or mixtures thereof. Solvents can provide improved filming and/or streaking benefits. Whilst not wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that solvents disrupt micelle formation, thus reducing surfactant aggregation. As such, they act as gloss toning agents, reducing gloss loss or promoting gloss gain on the surfaces of the present invention. Solvents are also beneficial because of their surface tension reduction properties help the cleaning profile of the compositions disclosed herein. Finally, solvents, particularly solvents with high vapour pressure, specifically vapour pressures of about 0.05 mm Hg at 25° C. and 1 atmosphere pressure (about 6.66 Pa) or higher, can provide cleaning and filming and/or streaking benefits without leaving residue.

Solvents for use herein include all those known in the art for use in hard-surface cleaner compositions. Suitable solvents can be selected from the group consisting of: aliphatic alcohols, ethers and di-ethers having from about 4 to about 14 carbon atoms, preferably from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, and more preferably from about 8 to about 10 carbon atoms; glycols or alkoxylated glycols; glycol ethers; alkoxylated aromatic alcohols; aromatic alcohols; terpenes; and mixtures thereof. Aliphatic alcohols and glycol ether solvents are most preferred, particularly those with vapour pressure of about 0.05 mm Hg at 25° C. and 1 atmosphere pressure (about 6.66 Pa).

Aliphatic alcohols, of the formula R—OH wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group of from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably from about 2 to about 15 and more preferably from about 5 to about 12, are suitable solvents. Suitable aliphatic alcohols are methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol or mixtures thereof. Among aliphatic alcohols, ethanol and isopropanol are most preferred because of their high vapour pressure and tendency to leave no residue.

Suitable glycols to be used herein are according to the formula HO—CR1R2—OH wherein R1 and R2 are independently H or a C2-C10 saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain and/or cyclic. Suitable glycols to be used herein are dodecaneglycol and/or propanediol.

In one preferred embodiment, at least one glycol ether solvent is incorporated in the compositions of the present invention. Particularly preferred glycol ethers have a terminal C3-C6 hydrocarbon attached to from one to three ethylene glycol or propylene glycol moieties to provide the appropriate degree of hydrophobicity and, preferably, surface activity. Examples of commercially available solvents based on ethylene glycol chemistry include mono-ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether (Hexyl Cellosolve®) available from Dow Chemical. Examples of commercially available solvents based on propylene glycol chemistry include the di-, and tri-propylene glycol derivatives of propyl and butyl alcohol, which are available from Arco under the trade names Arcosolv® and Dowanol®.

In the context of the present invention, preferred solvents are selected from the group consisting of mono-propylene glycol mono-propyl ether, di-propylene glycol mono-propyl ether, mono-propylene glycol mono-butyl ether, di-propylene glycol mono-propyl ether, di-propylene glycol mono-butyl ether; tri-propylene glycol mono-butyl ether; ethylene glycol mono-butyl ether; di-ethylene glycol mono-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-hexyl ether and di-ethylene glycol mono-hexyl ether, and mixtures thereof. “Butyl” includes normal butyl, isobutyl and tertiary butyl groups. Mono-propylene glycol and mono-propylene glycol mono-butyl ether are the most preferred cleaning solvent and are available under the tradenames Dowanol DPnP® and Dowanol DPnB®. Di-propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether is commercially available from Arco Chemical under the tradename Arcosolv PTB®.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cleaning solvent is purified so as to minimize impurities. Such impurities include aldehydes, dimers, trimers, oligomers and other by-products. These have been found to deleteriously affect product odour, perfume solubility and end result. The inventors have also found that common commercial solvents, which contain low levels of aldehydes, can cause irreversible and irreparable yellowing of certain hard surfaces. By purifying the cleaning solvents so as to minimize or eliminate such impurities, surface damage is attenuated or eliminated.

Though not preferred, terpenes can be used in the present invention. Suitable terpenes to be used herein monocyclic terpenes, dicyclic terpenes and/or acyclic terpenes. Suitable terpenes are: D-limonene; pinene; pine oil; terpinene; terpene derivatives as menthol, terpineol, geraniol, thymol; and the citronella or citronellol types of ingredients.

Suitable alkoxylated aromatic alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R—(A)_(n)—OH wherein R is an alkyl substituted or non-alkyl substituted aryl group of from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably from about 2 to about 15 and more preferably from about 2 to about 10, wherein A is an alkoxy group preferably butoxy, propoxy and/or ethoxy, and n is an integer of from about 1 to about 5, preferably about 1 to about 2. Suitable alkoxylated aromatic alcohols are benzoxyethanol and/or benzoxypropanol.

Suitable aromatic alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R—OH wherein R is an alkyl substituted or non-alkyl substituted aryl group of from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably from about 1 to about 15 and more preferably from about 1 to about 10. For example a suitable aromatic alcohol to be used herein is benzyl alcohol.

When present, solvents are found to be most effective at levels from about 0.5% to about 25%, more preferably about 1.0% to about 20% and most preferably, about 2% to about 15%.

Antifoaming Agent

The pre-moistened wipes preferably also comprise an antifoaming agent, preferably in the liquid composition. Any antifoaming agent known in the art is suitable for the present invention. Highly preferred antifoaming agents are those comprising silicone. Other preferred antifoaming agents may further comprise a fatty acid and/or a capped alkoxylated nonionic surfactant as defined herein after.

Preferably the amount of antifoaming agent used expressed in weight percent active, i.e., silicone (usually polydimethyl siloxane), fatty acid or capped alkoxylated nonionic surfactant, is from about 0.001% to about 0.5%, more preferably from about 0.005% to about 0.2%, most preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.1% of the weight of the aqueous lotion composition as made prior to impregnation onto the dry substrate.

Typically, if present, the fatty acid antifoaming agent is present at a concentration of from about 0.01% to about 0.5%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.5%, and more preferably from about 0.03% to about 0.2% by weight of the aqueous lotion composition as made prior to impregnation onto the dry substrate.

Typically, when present, the capped alkoxylated nonionic surfactant antifoaming agent is present at a concentration of from about 0.01% to about 1%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.5% and more preferably from about 0.03%% to about 0.2% by weight of the aqueous lotion composition as made prior to impregnation onto the dry substrate.

It is understood to those skilled in the art that combinations of antifoaming agents can also be used to provide the desired suds profile for a given aqueous composition.

Suitable capped alkoxylated non-ionic surfactants for use herein are according to the formula: R1(O—CH2—CH2)_(n)—(OR2)_(m)—O—R3 wherein R1 is a C8-C24 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, aryl group, alkaryl group, preferably R¹ is a C8-C18 alkyl or alkenyl group, more preferably a C₁₀-C₁₅ alkyl or alkenyl group, even more preferably a C10-C15 alkyl group; wherein R2 is a C1-C10 linear or branched alkyl group, preferably a C₂-C₁₀ linear or branched alkyl group, preferably a C3 group; wherein R3 is a C1-C10 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a C1-C5 alkyl group, more preferably methyl; and wherein n and m are integers independently ranging in the range of from about 1 to about 20, preferably from about 1 to about 10, more preferably from about 1 to about 5; or mixtures thereof.

Suitable silicones for use herein include any silicone and silica-silicone mixtures. Silicones can be generally represented by alkylated polysiloxane materials (e.g., polydimethyl siloxanes), while silica is normally used in finely divided forms exemplified by silica aerogels and xerogels and hydrophobic silicas of various types. These materials can be incorporated as particulates in which the silicone is advantageously releasably incorporated in a water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially non-surface-active detergent impermeable carrier. Alternatively, the silicone can be dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrier and applied by spraying on to one or more of the other components.

One preferred antifoaming agent in accordance with the present invention is available from Wacker as Wacker silicone antifoaming emulsion SE 2®. Other preferred antifoam agents include Dow Corning AF® emulsion and Dow Corning DB® emulsion, and Sag 10® available from Osi Specialty Chemicals. The use of the Sag 10® emulsion is found to be particularly beneficial in compositions that are alkaline (i.e., pH about 7-about 14); the emulsion is shown to be more effective and in some cases, to positively enhance the shine (gloss) of tiles.

Hydrotropes:

Hydrotropes are advantageously used to ensure solubility of the aqueous composition compositions, and in particular to ensure adequate perfume solubility. Hydrotropes include the sulfonates of toluene, xylene and cumene, sulfates of naphthalene, anthracene, and higher aromatics, and C3-C10 linear or branched alkyl benzenes, C6-C8 sulfates such as hexyl sulfate and 2-ethyl-1-hexyl sulfate, short chain pyrrolidones such as octyl pyrrolidone, and the like. Other preferred hydrotropes include the oligomers and polymers comprising polyethylene glycol. In a particularly preferred embodiment, alkyl ethoxylates comprising at least an average of about 15 moles of ethylene oxide, more preferably at least about 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole chain length (alcohol) are advantageously employed. Unlike conventional hydrotropes, the preferred alkyl ethoxylate hydrotropes are found to have little or no impact on the filming and streaking properties of the compositions of the present invention. When present, hydrotropes are preferably used at solution weight percent of from about 0.01% to about 0.5%, more preferably about 0.03% to about 0.25%.

The liquid compositions according to the present invention may comprise a variety of other optional ingredients depending on the technical benefit aimed for and the surface treated. Suitable optional ingredients for use herein include polymers, buffers, perfumes, colorants, pigments and/or dyes.

Filming/Streaking and Cleaning Performance

The Applicant has found that the interaction of the substrate as described herein, and the low-residue surfactant-containing composition results in a pre-moistened wipe showing very low or even no filming/streaking (“filming/streaking performance benefit”) when used on a hard surface, preferably when used on a shiny hard surface. The overall filming and streaking profiles of surfaces treated with the compositions of the invention benefits are particularly good when the surfactant is a low residue surfactant. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that part of the filming and streaking benefits are partly attributable to the properties of the substrate. Indeed, it has been found that the solution-induced leaching of binder and/or latex from the substrate leads to undesirable deposits on surfaces to be cleaned by the pre-moistened wipe. This deposition may lead to filming and/or streaking. The release of binder and/or latex may be due to the interaction of a composition applied to said substrate and the binder and/or latex of the substrate. Therefore, the use of a substantially binder and/or latex material-free substrate will eliminate the substrate as a source of filming and/or streaking on hard surfaces. Moreover, the leaching of binder and latex and associated by-products is enhanced for pre-moistened wipes comprising aqueous compositions at either low pH or high pH (e.g., below about pH 5 or above about pH 9) or compositions containing aggressive or reactive chemical compounds (such as glycol ether solvents, isopropyl alcohol or raw materials that can react with the substrate binder).

According to the present invention, the compositions are selected so as to maximize the gloss retention on a standard black shiny porcelain tile described hereinafter. That is, the low-residue surfactant preserves or enhances the shine benefits of the clean tiles.

The Applicant has found that cleaning benefits can be achieved when the substrate comprises at least about 20% synthetic fibers. Whilst not being bound by theory, it is believed that hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions between substrate and soil account for improved removal of greasy soils. Thus, saturated and unsaturated oils, fatty acids, oxidized oils and polymerized grease are all removed with enhanced ease and thoroughness by a wipe that compositionally has a significant synthetic component. Further, the benefits of the synthetic component of the substrate go beyond just the cleaning of pure greasy stains. It is found that the hydrophobic component of the substrate increases removal of complex soils in which the oils or other greasy components are present even if they represent minority components of the overall soil mixture. In this respect, the use of substrate comprising at least about 20% synthetic component is advantageous for the cleaning of common soils that occur in kitchens, bathrooms and elsewhere in consumers' homes including floors.

In a preferred embodiment, it has been found that, when present, polymeric biguanide compounds are effective agents to reduce the overall level of filming and/or streaking on hard surfaces. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the optional polymeric biguanide compound acts as a wetting polymer in the presence of acidifying agent and surfactant. As such, the polymeric biguanides help evenly distribute the aqueous composition throughout the surface to be treated. It is believed that the polymeric biguanide antimicrobial agent forms a colorless, uniform coating on the treated hard surfaces, attenuating or masking the streaks and/or films due to other components in the composition, or enhancing the shine/gloss of the treated surface when the other components in the composition do not cause streaking and/or filming issues. The Applicant has found that preferred organic acids to be used in combination with the optional polymeric biguanides comprise at least one hydroxyl (e.g., —OH) moiety. Suitable organic acids are preferably selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, and the like. For cost, availability, buffering capacity and regulatory reasons, citric acid (food grade desired but not required) is most preferred. Mono- or polyvalent organic acids that do not comprise at least one hydroxyl moiety, such as acetic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid are not preferred. Despite the hydrophilic behavior on surfaces, the optional polymeric biguanide compounds are shown to exhibit strong antimicrobial properties comparable to those of quaternary ammonium surfactants.

The disinfecting and/or antimicrobial performance of a given pre-moistened wipe can be assessed using the standard protocol required by governmental agencies in North America and Western Europe. The results presented in the experimental section illustrate the United States wipe protocol for achieving “hospital” grade disinfectancy claims. Hospital grade disinfectancy represents the highest level claim allowed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and has the most stringent requirements. It requires complete biocidal effectiveness against two Gram negative organisms, Salmonella cholerasuis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and one Gram positive organism, Staphylococcus aureus. Various related antimicrobial protocols exist in Europe and will be standardized for the EU with the Biocidal Products Directive in the coming years.

Packaging Form of the Pre-Moistened Wipes

The pre-moistened wipes according to the present invention may be packaged in a box, preferably in a plastic box.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the pre-moistened wipes are provided in a stacked configuration, which may comprise any number of wipes. Typically, the stack comprises from about 2 to about 150, more preferably from about 5 to about 100, most preferably from about 10 to about 60 wipes. Moreover the wipes may be provided in any configuration folded or unfolded. Most preferably, the wipes are stacked in a folded configuration.

Process for Cleaning a Surface

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention encompasses a process of cleaning a surface, preferably a hard surface, comprising the step of contacting, preferably wiping, said surface with a pre-moistened wipe as described herein. In another preferred embodiment of the present application, said process comprises the steps of contacting parts of said surface, more preferably soiled parts of said surface, with said pre-moistened wipe. In yet another preferred embodiment said process, after contacting said surface with said pre-moistened wipe, further comprises the step of imparting mechanical action to said surface using said pre-moistened wipe. By “mechanical action” it is meant herein, agitation of the pre-moistened wipe on the surface, as for example rubbing the surface using the pre-moistened wipe.

By ‘hard-surfaces’, it is meant herein any kind of surfaces typically found in houses like kitchens, bathrooms, or in car interiors or exteriors, e.g., floors, walls, tiles, windows, sinks, showers, shower plastified curtains, wash basins, WCs, dishes, fixtures and fittings and the like made of different materials like ceramic, vinyl, no-wax vinyl, linoleum, melamine, glass, any plastics, plastified wood, metal or any painted or varnished or sealed surface and the like. Hard-surfaces also include household appliances including, but not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers and so on.

Test Methodologies

The test methodologies shown below are utilized to illustrate the benefits of the compositions of the present invention. They include two cleaning tests, a filming and streaking test, and an antimicrobial test.

Cleaning Tests

The following cleaning protocols are employed to illustrate the cleaning efficacy of the pre-moistened wipes of the present invention. Due to variability between tests (slight differences in tile placement, oven heating, time etc.), statistical significance can only be assigned for groups of product run within a test set. Each test set, as configured in the experiments described below, consists of 4 product treatments. In these tests, statistical significance is established at the 90% confidence level using a one-tailed test (a=0.10), and pair-wise statistical treatment of the samples.

Kitchen Dirt Cleaning:

The cleaning effectiveness of the wipes on kitchen dirt is illustrated as follows:

Four (4) standard porcelain enamel tiles are soiled with grease, consisting of partially polymerized oil and particulate matter. The soiled tiles are then backed at 150° C. for 40 minutes (after 20 minutes, the tiles are rotated 180° so as to ensure even-ness of baking) in a mechanical convection oven (model 625 Freas). The enamel plates are allowed to cool to room temperature (˜30 minutes) and then used immediately for testing. Sponges with dimensions 14 cm×9 cm×2.5 cm purchased from VWR Scientific, catalog No. 58540-047, cut to size by cutting each sponge in thirds along the width of the sponge, washed in a conventional washing machine with detergent and then washed in plain water in a washing machine 3 times so as to strip the sponge finishes. The sponges are then allowed to dry in a working fume hood for 48 hours. The dimensions of the dry sponges after air-drying are about 9 cm×4.5 cm×2.5 cm. Dry test sponges are weighed (5±1 grams). Four (4) sponges are placed in a 903/PG Washability Tester (Sheen Instruments, Ltd (Surrey, United Kingdom)). Pre-moistened wipes are then attached to the sponges (without folding the pre-moistened wipe) so as to expose the wipe to one of soiled enamel tiles placed in the 903/PG Washability Tester. Cleaning is initiated and the number of strokes required for complete soil removal is determined.

Each treatment is tested for cleaning a minimum of 4 times and the mean number of strokes for cleaning and standard deviation are computed. In these tests, statistical significance is established at the 90% confidence level using a one-tailed test (a=0.10), using pair-wise statistical treatment of the samples.

Soap Scum Cleaning:

The soap scum cleaning protocol is similar to that described for kitchen dirt except that the soil reflects the composition of soap scum, based on collection and analysis of the soil obtained from consumer homes.

Filming and Streaking Test

The filming/streaking performance of a given pre-moistened wipe, can be assessed using the following test method:

Test Tile:

Extracompa® black glossy ceramic tiles, manufactured in Italy, with dimensions 20 cm×20 cm×1 cm are employed as the test surface. Prior to use, the tile surfaces are washed with soap and water. They are then rinsed with about 500 ml distilled water and wiped dry using paper towel, preferably using a low-binder clean paper towel such as Scott® paper towels. Approximately 5 ml of a 50% water, 50% 2-propanol solution mix is applied from a squirt bottle to the surface of the tiles, spread to cover the entire tile using clean paper towel and then wiped to dryness with more paper towel. The application of the water/2-propanol treatment is repeated and the tiles are allowed to air dry for five minutes. The test tiles are positioned on a horizontal surface, completely exposing the ceramic surface prior to testing. Prior to initiating the wiping with test products, the tiles gloss readings for the cleaned tiles are measured and recorded. The measurement is performed using a ‘BYK Gardner micro-TRI-gloss®’ gloss-meter using a 60° angle setting. The gloss-meter is manufactured by BYK-Gardner, catalog number is GB-4520. The gloss of each tile is analytically measured at the four corners and the center of the tile, and the readings averaged. Tests are then conducted on single test tiles with a total of 3 replicates to ensure reproducibility.

Test Wipes:

Several test wipes are used to illustrate the benefits of the compositions of the present invention. In all cases, wipes with homogeneously distributed fibers are used. For purposes of making comparisons, the basis weight is standardized at 60 gm⁻² and the load factor is set to 3.2 grams of aqueous solution per gram of substrate, i.e., load factor=3.2×. Substrates are loaded at least 4, preferably 7, days prior to the use; the wipes are stored in sanitized bags or more preferably flow wrap packaging prior to use. The purpose of the 4-7 day wait is to simulate commercial production, and ensure proper wetting and swelling of fibers, and provide sufficient time for the interaction between the aqueous compositions and the test substrates to take place. The size of experimental wipes is standardized at 26 cm*17 cm. Commercially available competitive wipes are tested as is, i.e., taken directly out of the package and used without alteration of any kind. The competitive wipes tested all have similar, though not identical dimensions as the experimental wipes intended to illustrate the invention.

Wiping Procedure:

In each case, the wipes are first folded in half along the longer side of the wipe. The wipes are then crimped between the second and third fingers along the center part of the length of the half wipe (the thumb is labeled as the first finger) so as to ensure a good grip of the wipe, in such a manner so as to allow the rest of the operator's hand to lie flat on surface of the wipes. The now hand-held wipes is placed on the upper left hand corner of the tiles, and then made to wipe the complete surface of the test tiles in five un-interrupted wipe motions: first from left to right, then right to left, then left to right, then right to left, and finally left to right, all while progressively wiping down the test tiles. The wiping motion is made continuously from side to side as described above, and the final pass is completed past the end of the tile. Wiping time duration is about 3-4 seconds per tile.

Grading:

Grading is performed within 30 minutes after the tiles have been wiped. For test product (which consists of a substrate and impregnated lotion), the wiping procedure described above is performed five times. The tiles are allowed to air dry at ambient conditions (20° C.-25° C. at a relative humidity of 40-50%) and then graded. Tiles are graded using visual grades and gloss-meter readings. Two sets of measurements are selected since the gloss-meter measurements allow for an analytical estimate of filming, while the visual grades advantageously employ human visual acuity for the identification of streaks. The two grades are viewed as complementary and usually show similar trends. Visual grading is done with 5 expert panelists such that the panelists do not know the identity of the specific products tested. Visual grading of is conducted using a 0 to 4 scale, where 4 indicates a very streaky/filmy end result and 0 is a completely perfect end result. Tile residue is analytically measured using a ‘BYK Gardner micro-TRI-gloss®’ gloss-meter using the 60° angle setting. The gloss-meter is manufactured by BYK-Gardner, catalog number is GB-4520. Once the wipes tiles are dry (air dried at ambient conditions), the gloss of each tile is analytically measured with the gloss-meter at the four corners and the center of the tile, and the readings averaged. The averages for each of the 3 tiles tested are computed and then averaged. This ‘average of averages’ is then compared to the ‘average of averages’ computed on the pre-cleaned tiles; the standard deviation for gloss loss (gain) is obtained using all 15 gloss readings, wherein each gloss measurement recorded corresponds to the difference between clean and treated tile. The overall appearance of tiles will depend on both, the amount of streaking and filming on the tiles.

Antimicrobial Tests

The antimicrobial effectiveness of the wipes can be assessed using the following wipe (disposable towelette) protocol:

60 glass carriers are inoculated with bacteria, dried, and then wiped (10 carriers per towelette) for 30 seconds with the wipe. All are neutralized to stop the action of the antimicrobial, and then incubated in media. 59 of the 60 carriers must be free of bacteria, as demonstrated by clear media after incubation. The exact details of inoculation, treatment, and subsequent assessment can be found in Protocol PG12022201.TOW (Viromed), incorporated herein by reference.

Experimental Data and Examples

The following examples serve to exemplify the present invention. The aqueous compositions are made by combining the listed ingredients in the listed proportions to form homogeneous mixtures (solution weight % unless otherwise specified). The following examples are meant to exemplify compositions used in a process according to the present invention but are not necessarily used to limit or otherwise define the scope of the present invention.

Pre-Moistened Wipes Compositions

Several substrates are used to illustrate the invention. All substrates have homogeneously distributed fibers, have dimensions 26 cm*17 cm, are initially dry, and are impregnated with lotion at a 3.2× load factor. Four substrate types are evaluated as follows:

Substrate 1 is an air-laid, 60 g/m⁻² substrate, consisting of 70% pulp, 16% Lyocell, and 12% binder fibers that are homogeneously distributed within the web;

Substrate 2 is a hydroentangled 60 g/m⁻² substrate, consisting of 100% rayon fibers, that is substantially free of binders and latexes;

Substrate 3 is a hydroentangled 60 g/m⁻² substrate, consisting of 60% polypropylene and 40% rayon fibers, that is substantially free of binders and latexes;

Substrate 4 is a hydroentangled 60 g/m⁻² substrate, consisting of 100% polyester fibers, that is substantially free of binders and latexes.

The acidic aqueous compositions loaded on the substrates are made starting from a base product lacking surfactant and antimicrobial agent. The base product includes: 0.05% C12-14 EO21, 0.5% citric acid, 2% propylene glycol n-butyl ether (Dowanol PnB®), 8% ethanol and 0.1% perfume, and the remainder, excluding the hole left for surfactant and antimicrobial agent, up to 100%, water.

The alkaline aqueous compositions loaded on the substrates are made starting from a base product lacking surfactant and optional 1 wetting agent (PHMB). The base product includes: 0.1% sodium hydroxide, 2% propylene glycol n-butyl ether (Dowanol PnB®), 8% ethanol and 0.1% perfume, and the remainder, excluding the hole left for surfactant and optional wetting agent (PHMB), up to 100%, water.

For both, acidic and alkaline pre-moistened wipes, surfactant and optional wetting agent are then incorporated into the respective base products and the resulting aqueous compositions are loaded onto the substrates as shown in the table below. Acidic compositions, expressed from the wipe, are at about pH 3.5. Alkaline compositions, expressed from the wipe, are at about pH 11. A B C D E F G H I J Surfactants (%) C12-14 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 — — — 0.22 — sulfobetaine* C8-16 APG** — — — — 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 — 0.22 Acidifying Agent (%) Citric acid 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Antimicrobial (%) PHMB^(†) — — — — — — — — 0.3 0.3 Substrate 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 3 3 K L M N O P Q R S T Surfactants (%) C12-16 betaine*** 0.22 0.22 — — — — 0.12 0.12 — — Coco — — 0.22 0.22 — — — — 0.12 0.12 amphoteric**** C9-11EO6 (V*) — — — — 0.22 0.22 — — — — Acidifying Agent (%) Citric acid 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 — — — — Alkalinity Agent (%) Sodium Hydroxide — — — — — — 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Substrate 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 U V W X Y Z ZZ ZZZ Z1 Z2 Surfactants (%) C12-14 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 sulfobetaine* Buffering Agent (%) Tartaric acid 0.5 0.5 — — — — — — — — Lactic Acid — — 0.5 0.5 — — — — — — DAGS^(∇) — — — — 0.5 0.5 — — — — Acetic acid — — — — — — 0.02 — — — Hydrochloric acid — — — — — — — 0.02 — — Sodium Hydroxide 0.10 0.10 Polymer (%) PHMB^(†) — 0.3 — 0.3 — 0.3 — — — — Substrate 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 *Cocoamido propyl sulfobetaine made by Degussa-Goldschmidt under the tradename Rewoteric AM CAS 15-U ® ** **Alkyl PolyGlucoside made by Cognis under the tradename Plantaren 2000 ***C12-16 dimethyl betaine made by Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB/L ® ****N-coconut fatty acid amidoethyl N-hydroxyethyl amino propionic acid, sodium salt, made by Degussa-Goldschmidt under the trade name Rewoteric AM KSF 40 (V*) Alkyl ethoxylate (6) made by Shell Chemical under the trade name Neodol 91-6 ® ^(†)Poly (hexamethylene biguanide) made by Avecia under the tradename Vantocil IB® ^(∇)Diacids: Adipic, glutaric and succinic manufactured by Rhodia as a commercial mixture. Cleaning Test Results

The data below are tabulated in accordance to the experiments described in the ‘cleaning test’ section. Statistical significance is established at the 90% confidence level using a one-tailed test (α=0.10), and pair-wise statistical treatment of the samples. D C B A Kitchen Dirt Mean # strokes to clean  11.0 16.0 100 100 Std. Dev. (strokes)  3.46 1.63 N/A N/A Mean # strokes A-B  5.0 A-B/B-C Significant? Yes Yes Soap Scum Mean # strokes to clean  43.0 44.0 52.5 81.0 Std. Dev. (strokes)  7.02 6.32 9.57 8.08 Mean # strokes A-C  9.5 A-C and B-C Significant? Yes Yes C I G J Kitchen Dirt Mean # strokes to clean  21.5 24.5 23.5 18.0 Std. Dev. (strokes)  3.0 3.0 4.1 1.6 Mean # strokes C-I/G-J  3.0 5.5 C-I and G-J Significant? No Yes K L M N Kitchen Dirt Mean # strokes to clean 100 35 100 36.5 Std. Dev. (strokes) N/A* 6.8 N/A 8.2 Mean # strokes K-L/G-J  65+ 63.5+ C-I and G-J Significant? Yes Yes Q R S T Kitchen Dirt Mean # strokes to clean  11.5 9.5 12 8.5 Std. Dev. (strokes)  7.1 3.4 3.6 1.9 Mean # strokes U-V/W-X  2.0 3.5 Q-R and S-T Significant? No Yes A C Z1 Z2 Kitchen Dirt Mean # strokes to clean 100 23.5 21.5 13.5 Std. Dev. (strokes) N/A* 6.2 6.6 4.4 C-Y Significant? No Y-Z Significant? Yes Soap Scum Mean # strokes to clean 100 27.5 61.5 100 Std. Dev. (strokes) N/A* 3.0 15.4 N/A* C-Y, Y-Z Significant? Yes Yes *Did not clean in 100 strokes (at least one time) Data Interpretation for Cleaning Tests

Treatments A-D exemplify the benefits of the use of binder-free substrate, and of increased synthetic content in the substrates. The data show that for kitchen dirt, wipe D has significantly improved (faster) soil removal to wipe C; wipe C has significantly improved (faster) soil removal to wipes B and A. This establishes the cleaning rank order: 100% synthetic>60% synthetic>0% synthetic. For soap scum, statistical significance is not established between wipe B and C though the same substrate trend (100% synthetic>60% synthetic>0% synthetic) is observed. Additionally, it is noted that the binder-free wipe has significantly better soil removal than the binder-containing wipe.

Wipes C and I, which differ only in that I also comprises PHMB, do not show significant cleaning differences. Wipe J, which comprises PHMB, shows a significant cleaning benefit versus wipe G, which is identical in all respects to wipe J, except that it does not comprise PHMB. The data illustrate that PHMB can be used in selected compositions to improve cleaning performance.

Compositions K-N illustrate the benefits of the synthetic fibers using two low residue surfactants: betaines and ampho propionates. In each case, the wipe comprising substrate with synthetic fibers displays significant cleaning benefits versus substrate without synthetic fibers. The data suggest a cleaning benefit of at least 3× for the synthetic substrates.

The benefits of the synthetic fibers are less pronounced for alkaline compositions Q-T. Thus, product R does not show a significant benefit versus product Q. However, product T shows a significant cleaning advantage versus product, suggesting that the use of synthetic substrate is preferable.

The effect of acidity/alkalinity and substrate composition is illustrated in a comparison of products A, C, Z1 and Z2. On kitchen dirt, product A which is acidic and comprises a substrate that lacks synthetic fibers, performs significantly worse than product C, which is also acidic but comprises a substrate with synthetic fibers. There are no significant differences between product C and product Z1 (alkaline with no synthetic substrate), suggesting that the synthetic fibers in product C provide sufficient cleaning advantages to overcome the alkalinity advantages of the aqueous composition of product Z1. Product Z2 performs significantly better than product Z1, suggesting once again that the synthetic fibers provide cleaning benefits on greasy soils.

On soap scum, products alkaline products A and Z2 are not found to be effective. Acidic product Z1 performs significantly better than products A or Z2. Product C, which is also acidic, is significantly more effective for cleaning soap scum than product Z1, reflecting the benefits of acidity for soap scum cleaning.

In summary, the cleaning ability rank order for kitchen dirt as a function of alkalinity (Al) vs. acidity (Ac) in the solution, and synthetics (Sy) vs. no synthetics in the substrate (Ns) is found to be: Al+Sy>Ac+Sy≈Al+Ns>Ac+Ns

For soap scum cleaning, the cleaning ability rank order is: Ac+Sy>AC+Ns>Al+Sy≈Al+Ns

In each case, the use of synthetic fibers is advantageous.

Filming and Streaking Experimental Results

The data below are tabulated in terms of gloss-meter measurements and visual grades. The gloss-meter readings (mean δ) are computed as a difference in gloss between tiles treated with the experimental compositions herein and that for the corresponding clean, untreated tiles. The untreated clean tiles all have 60° angle gloss readings between 91 and 94. Positive values represent a loss in gloss. Negative values ( ) indicate a gain in gloss versus the reference. The mean gloss loss (gain) (mean δ) and standard deviation (Std. Dev. δ) are provided in the table below. The visual grades are provided as 0-4 visual grades using 5 expert panelists. The mean grade and standard deviations are provided. Using these data, statistical significance at a 95% confidence level (α=0.05) is calculated. A B C D E F G H I J Gloss Mean treatment δ 0.7 0.9 0.6 1.4 1.5 0.5 1.1 1.7 0.2 (0.5) Std. Dev. δ 0.64 0.53 0.32 0.43 0.57 0.48 0.55 0.4 0.28 0.29 Mean δ (0.4) (1.6) (PHMB- noPHMB) Visual Grades Mean grade 1.5 0.9 0.6 0.2 1.6 0.5 0.2 1.0 0.3 0.1 Std. Dev. grade 0.56 0.43 0.46 0.18 0.38 0.31 0.23 0.31 0.2 0.11 K L M N O P Q R S T Gloss Mean treatment δ 2.7 1.8 3.5 1.5 10.7 0.5 4.7 1.1 3.3 0.9 Std. Dev. δ 0.65 0.35 0.93 0.45 4.12 0.49 1.13 0.43 1.1 0.71 Visual Grades Mean grade 1.5 0.6 2.2 0.8 3.7 2.2 3.57 1.7 3.6 1.4 Std. Dev. grade 0.39 0.22 0.36 0.26 0.48 0.73 0.24 0.39 0.35 0.32 C I U V W X Y Z ZZ ZZZ Gloss Mean treatment δ 0.6 0.2 0.0 (0.8) 0.4 (0.2) 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.4 Std. Dev. δ 0.32 0.28 0.49 0.28 0.22 0.40 0.66 0.42 0.35 0.20 Mean δ (0.4) Ref. (0.8) Ref. (0.6) Ref. (1.3) N/A N/A (PHMB- noPHMB) Ref. Yes Ref. Yes Ref. Yes N/A N/A Visual Mean grade 0.6 0.3 2.0 0.4 0.5 0.7 Std. Dev. δ 0.46 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.31 0.13 0.19 0.20 Mean δ Ref. (0.3) 0.13 0.13 0.16 0.12 Ref. (1.6) N/A N/A (PHMB- noPHMB) Data Interpretation for Filming and Streaking:

For identical chemical aqueous compositions placed on substrates of differing composition, the largest loss in gloss is noted in the 100% synthetic substrate, but this does not translate into a lower visual grades (compare results for treatment D versus treatments A, B and C, and treatment H versus treatments E, F and G). The higher loss in gloss is due to increased release from the 100% synthetic substrate, while improved visual grades reflect even coverage and lack of residue contributed from binders and latexes. The compositions of the binder-containing substrate (see treatments A and E) consistently have the lowest visual grades relative to all other substrates. This is due to the leaching of binder from substrate 1, which cannot occur for substrates 2, 3 and 4.

The mean gloss reading and visual grades are significantly improved by addition of poly (hexamethylene biguanide). This can be seen by comparing treatment C with treatment I, and treatment G with treatment J. The polymer acts as a hydrophilic agent that improves wetting and enhances gloss.

Acidic Compositions L and N show large, statistically significant gloss reading and visual grade benefits versus corresponding compositions K and L. Compositions L and N employ binder-free (hydroentangled) substrate, while compositions K and L are loaded onto substrate comprising 12% binder.

Alkaline compositions R and T show large gloss reading and visual grade benefits versus corresponding compositions Q and S. Compositions R and T employ binder-free (hydroentangled) substrate, while compositions Q and S are loaded onto substrate comprising 12% binder. The benefits are statistically significant (α=0.05). The data suggest advantageous use of binder-free substrates in combination with the low residue surfactants in an alkaline matrix.

Composition P shows significant gloss and visual grade improvements vs. composition O. In this instance, the advantage provided by a substrate that excludes binders is evident even for surfactants that are not low residue surfactants (e.g., in this case C9-11EO6).

All compositions comprising an organic acid show polymeric biguanide-induced gloss benefits (see I vs C, V vs U and X vs. W). Additionally, composition Z shows a significant visual grade enhancement versus composition Y. The visual grade differences are smaller for the other treatments because of the good appearance of compositions not comprising PHMB.

Additionally, compositions ZZ and ZZZ, which respectively incorporate a short chain organic acid and an inorganic acid, are also shown to provide good gloss and visual grade results, thereby illustrating the scope of acids available for use in this invention.

Antimicrobial Effectiveness:

In addition to filming, streaking and cleaning benefits, the compositions of the present invention provide antimicrobial benefits. The results below were obtained for a composition consisting of substrate 1 loaded at 3.2× with I at three different levels citric acid was used in this test.* The study was conducted by qualified Viromed technicians at Viromed (Minnesota, USA), a U.S. EPA approved antimicrobial laboratory. Citric Acid level 0.25% 0.50% 0.75% Staphylococcus aureus 0/60 0/60 0/60 Pseudomonas aeruginosa 0/60 0/60 0/60 Salmonella cholerasuis 0/60 0/60 0/60 *Perfume level is 0.175%, ethanol level is 2%

Under each of the conditions studied, the compositions were fully biocidal against the target organisms. The level of PHMB in these compositions (0.3%) is virtually identical to the level of quaternary ammonium surfactant utilized by Lysol® and Clorox® wipes to make similar antimicrobial claims. 

1. A pre-moistened wipe for treating a surface, said pre-moistened wipe comprising: (a) a substrate; wherein said substrate is substantially free of a binder or latex and wherein said substrate is made of at least about 20% synthetic material; and (b) an aqueous composition applied to said substrate, said composition comprising a low-residue surfactant.
 2. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said substrate is made by hydroentangling.
 3. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said substrate herein comprises from about 35% to about 90% synthetic material.
 4. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and mixtures thereof.
 5. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said composition further comprises an acidifying agent.
 6. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 5 wherein said acidifying agent is an organic acid.
 7. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 6 wherein said organic acid is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and mixtures thereof.
 8. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 6 wherein said organic acid is citric acid.
 9. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 5 wherein the level of said acidifying agent is from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight.
 10. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said composition further comprises an alkaline agent.
 11. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 10 wherein the level of said alkaline agent is from about 0.01% to about 0.50% by weight.
 12. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 10 wherein said alkaline agent is selected from the group consisting of 1,3-bis(methylamine) cylohexane, 1-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, ammonia and mixtures thereof.
 13. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 10 wherein said alkaline agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and ammonia and mixtures thereof.
 14. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said low-residue surfactant is selected from the group consisting of zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, non-ionic surfactants comprising at least one sugar moiety and mixtures thereof.
 15. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said low-residue surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sulfobetaines, betaines, ampho glycinates, ampho propionates, poly alkyl glycosides, sucrose esters and mixtures thereof.
 16. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 15 wherein said low-residue surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sulfobetaines, poly alkyl glycosides and mixtures thereof.
 17. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein the level of low-residue surfactant is from about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight.
 18. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises a polymeric biguanide.
 19. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 18, wherein said polymeric biguanide is selected from the group consisting of oligo-hexamethylene biguanide, poly-hexamethylene biguanide, salts thereof and mixtures thereof.
 20. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 18 wherein said polymeric biguanide is poly (hexamethylene biguanide)hydrochloride.
 21. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 that additionally comprises from about 0.5% to about 25% by weight of a solvent.
 22. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 21 wherein said solvent has a vapour pressure of about 6.66 Pa (about 0.05 mm Hg at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure).
 23. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said pre-moistened wipe further comprises a hydrotrope.
 24. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 23 wherein said hydrotrope is a alkyl ethoxylate comprising from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the hydrophobic group and at least an average of about 15 ethoxylate groups per hydrophobic group.
 25. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said substrate is loaded at a factor of from about 1 gram of aqueous solution per gram of substrate to about 10 grams of aqueous solution per gram of substrate.
 26. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said substrate comprises a homogeneous blend of synthetic and non-synthetic fibers.
 27. The pre-moistened wipe of claim 1 wherein said substrate is comprises a non-homogeneous blend of fibers such that at least one of the visible surface areas of the substrate has a significantly higher synthetic content than the overall substrate composition.
 28. A method of cleaning a surface, comprising the steps of: contacting said surface with a pre-moistened wipe according to claim 1; and wiping said surface with said pre-moistened wipe. 